Over the years, fashions have certainly relaxed, perhaps no more so than in the casual climate of the 80s. For formal occasions, one no longer had to wear tuxedo trousers when a good pair of jeans was perfectly acceptable. And for women, the former leasurly sweatshirt became a sassy alternative to a dress. With the release of the 1983 film, Flashdance, Jennifer Beals first caught the attention of the public with her stylish sweatshirt apparel and it wasn’t long after that the sweatshirt began to shed its gym-only image.

Available in a rainbow of pastel colors, elongated and fitted with shoulder pads, the sweater dress could be worn seductively off-the-shoulder for a look that was decidedly sexy. Backless varieties were introduced, with the back cut out into deep “U” or “V” shapes, and the look was completed with a hem of sorts circled tight at the knees to create a hobble skirt design. When worn as part of an ensemble that included brightly-colored pumps, complete with lacy ankle boots and a hip belt, the look was both formal and casual at the same time and a perfect fit for the 80s decade.